I lost a significant amount of work time yesterday due to a massive loss of electricity and consequent evacuation. I planned to make it all up today. Then I was called on for last-minute “GiGi duty”. I was indescribably grateful to be available. Now that I’m circling back to wrap up a few tasks, I reflect on completing both “projects.”
As any project manager knows, every project comes with its own unique challenges. But there’s one project that’s unlike any other: caring for a baby.
In meeting the completely dependent needs of the baby, you’re responsible for managing a complex project with constantly changing requirements. You need to be able to juggle and prioritize multiple tasks at once, maintain your equanimity, and meet deadlines.
Often, skills in project management translate well to baby care.
Here are a few of the similarities between baby care and project management:
- Both require careful planning and execution. When you’re planning a project, you need to carefully consider the scope of work, the resources you’ll need, and the timeline. The same is true for baby care. You need to plan for everything from feeding and changing diapers to controlling the volume of the house during sleep time and careful coordination of a full schedule. (Think emotionally charged, detailed, and continuous SWOT analyses.)
- Both require the ability to adapt to change. As the circumstances of this situation emphasized, things don’t always go according to plan. And that’s especially true when you’re caring for a baby. You need to be able to roll with the punches and make adjustments as needed.
- Both require excellent communication skills. When you’re managing a project, you need to be able to communicate effectively with your team members. The same is true for baby care. You need to be able to communicate with your partner, your family, and your baby’s “village.”
- Both require the ability to motivate and inspire others. When you’re managing a project, you need to be able to motivate and empower your team members to stay on track and meet deadlines. The same is true for baby care. You need to be able to motivate the baby to learn new things and explore their surroundings.
- Both require active and attentive risk management. You need to vigilantly identify and mitigate risks to ensure success in the goals and deliverables of this most precious project.
“Balance is a feeling derived from being whole and complete; it’s a sense of harmony. It is essential to maintaining quality in life and work.” —Joshua Osenga